A cocaine scuba mule has been detained in Newcastle Port as he attempts to depart Australia

✔︎ Fact Checked by TDPel News Desk

By Samantha Allen

Published: May 12, 2022 | 12:42 AM GMT

Detectives investigating the death of the diver who died trying to recover $20million of cocaine in Newcastle have arrested a man 2200km away in North Queensland as he was allegedly trying to flee Australia.

James Blee, 62, was stopped by Queensland police and Australian Federal Police at Cairns Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Singapore on Wednesday afternoon.

The man has been charged with importing a large commercial quantity of border controlled drug and large commercial drug supply.

Blee was arrested following investigations by Strike Force Groove which was established by the NSW Organised Crime Squad after the body of a diver and 54kg of cocaine was located at Newcastle port, NSW, on Monday.

The team has been bolstered by officers from Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Northern Territory Police and Queensland Police.

The body of the man, who was wearing technical dive gear, washed up on Monday, with police suspecting he was using ‘old school’ smuggling tactics rarely used by modern drug syndicates.

The unidentified diver was recovered from the water along with more than 50kg of cocaine off Heron Road, alongside the Port of Newcastle.

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About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.